AFP involved in drug smuggling: ex-detective

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The Australian Federal Police have in the past failed to
properly investigate allegations of drug trafficking at airports
because serving police officers have been involved in the practice,
a former senior AFP detective claims.

Ray Cooper, former head of operations for the AFP's internal
investigations, told the Nine Network it was well known by the AFP
that unwitting passengers were being used as `mules' to shift drugs
between Australian domestic airports.

And he said his investigations suggested some state and federal
police were in league with the smugglers.

"It was well known amongst the federal police that this
particular operation and strategy was being adopted by criminals,"
Mr Cooper said.

"[But] the leadership of the federal police was not capable or
strong enough to conduct a thorough, honest and open
investigation.

"They were afraid for their reputation. They wanted the world to
believe they were the only police force in the world that didn't
have corruption.

"They were naive then and I believe to some extent they're still
naive."

Mr Cooper also said some Australian airports suffered from a
lack of security that made it easy for drug smugglers to gain
access to passenger's baggage.

Speaking about Gold Coast Airport, Mr Cooper said: "There was no
control at the back of that airport. Every man and his dog can
access that baggage."

Mr Cooper's claims lend credence to accused Australian drug
smuggler Schapelle Corby, who faces possible life in prison for
carrying 4.2kg of cannabis in Bali.

Corby has long maintained the drugs were planted in her boogie
board bag at Brisbane airport. Mr Cooper did not comment on
security at Brisbane.